Designing a garden in France. Hugh and Mimi Kilgour, France

Dear Hugh We have realised a dream of building a house in the Var in the south of France near a village called Carces. The house is set in an old ploughed up vineyard approx 5000sq. metres. Do you know of any student garden designers who would like to have a go at designing this area into a garden. We are now short of funds but thought this might be an interesting project for a student with some fringe benefits.
Forum (Hugh):I don’t know of any student garden designers! However Brain Davis and myself are in the process of setting up a service whereby we could do the design “on the web” – this would be much cheaper than our normal rates, and will probably not require a site visit. Brian is a world expert on plants. On the other hand we would be interested to do it in the normal way, this would require a site visit by one of us, and survey. (The fringe benefits sound interesting!). Thereafter the design could be done in the UK. Best regards, Hugh
Mimi: Thank you so much for the reply. Our house we believe should be finished in July/August. The builders say July but we guess a bit longer. We wish to have an idea of the costing of both options. Can you give us some idea of your normal rates with a site visit, and what it would cost if you did a design “on the web”. We would want a design and an idea of planting in a dry mediterranean setting with sandy soil. regards Mimi
Forum (Hugh): I have sent your reply onto Brian Davis, and we will let you know as to costs on both options. My normal rate in the UK in the West of England-which is the lowest rate, is based on a flexible £45 an hour (one can’t charge for every hour). The planting is no problem-however I need to know the site details, the amount of slope, level, and variation there is, plus very importantly the house proportions, heights and style, and how it “sits on the site”. I would be prepared to do the survey on the site visit-this will require staying over for two or three days (this affects the price of the plane ticket greatly, as quick turn rounds cost more) depending on the complexity of the site. I have found before in France it is very difficult to obtain or hire a theodolite-they don’t seem to use them-preferring lasers-however they don’t have much idea on the requirements for designing gardens either, and trying to take levels with a laser is a nightmare over long distances. I would bring my theodolite with me on the plane, also can you let me know the nearest airport to your site location. For cost reduction accommodation would be best once your house has been completed. As such only the actual hours required to do the site survey and draw itup in the UK, would be charged. Per my web site the first visit is not charged – except travel and expenses. Hope this answers some of your queries. Regards Hugh